Published at 16:22, Monday, 18 February 2013

A MAN has been sent to prison after he kicked two police officers in the head and forced one officer to go to hospital by biting him on the arm.

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During his violent arrest on New Year’s Eve, Kenneth James Smith was punched in the head and body by police and sprayed with PAVA spray, his sentencing hearing was told on Friday.

The incident unfolded after Smith, 24, was spotted by PC Paul Williams and PC Dave Edwards outside Yates’ Wine Lodge, in Duke Street, at about 11.10pm.

Crown prosecutor Mr Wayne Jackson told the crown court at the Sessions House, in Preston, that Smith was seen arguing with bouncers outside the pub about his age.

He then walked over to the police and demanded they look him up on the police national computer to verify his age.

However, when they refused he swore at them and they arrested him.

There was a struggle during which he bit PC Williams’ left hand, prompting the officer to punch him in the face.

He was forced to the floor before the officers tried to get him into the back of a police van.

While they were trying to do this, he “kicked out violently”, Mr Jackson said.

He knocked off their helmets, as well as leaving PC Williams with a bruise on his nose.

In response the officers punched Smith in the body and then sprayed him with PAVA spray and forced into the van.

Once Smith had been taken to Barrow police station, PC Darren Henderson tried to help get him into a cell and Smith bit his left forearm, drawing blood.

He was again sprayed with PAVA spray.

The court heard that before the incident Smith had drunk half a bottle of vodka, a bottle of Amaretto, two cans of lager and a glass of cider.

Smith, of Glasgow Street, Barrow, pleaded guilty to two charges of assaulting a police officer and one of assault causing actual bodily harm.

Mr Gareth James, defending, said although in the past Smith had been ordered to get help to reduce his drinking and face up to the “consequences of his actions”, he had not responded to this.

However, he said Smith insisted he was now ready to engage with the help on offer.

But Judge Jacqueline Beech said he had already been convicted for a “string” of offences involving assaulting police officers.

Although he had been given the chance to get help with his drinking he had “blown it”, the judge said.

Smith was given 10 months jail and made the subject of an antisocial behaviour order for five years.

Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk